Hyundai has comes a long way...

[OS]

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
LOL. That was not the only reason...

Did I say that was the only reason?

 

[rickn]

the current sonata exterior is like a jaguar knockoff. Hyundai does seem to copy a lot

 

[iversonyin]

I'm still not impress by these Korean cars

(this is coming from a JDM/Top Gear fan)

 

[saxophonoia]

my roommate just got a Santa Fe and I have to say it's pretty nice, but that Sonata looks like an Accord to me.

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: syconub
uhh they fall apart after about 2 years....dont get one

That has changed.

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: MisterCornell
I think this car looks like ass. I'm not sure what you people are seeing in it.

At around $20,000, it's no bargain either. Hyundai could sell a POS in the past for $10,000 and people would buy it up. Now they are trying to establish themselves as a respectable automaker, and they are charging prices accordingly. I just don't think this product has the weight to command $20,000.

The new 2006 Hyundai Sonata is an all-new vehicle featuring refined, sophisticated styling and an interior package so roomy its U.S. government size classification is ?large car?; a full class above Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, and Nissan Altima. Sonata sets a new standard for safety with six standard airbags (front, seat-mounted side-impact and side air curtain), standard active front headrests, standard ABS, and for the first time in the mid-size sedan segment, standard Electronic Stability Control (ESC). The 2006 Hyundai Sonata was designed to achieve five-star ratings in all National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) frontal and side-impact test conditions.

All for UNDER $20,000.

 

[TitanDiddly]

Are Hyundai and Kia the same company? :Q

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: PhasmatisNox
Are Hyundai and Kia the same company? :Q

Kia is owned by Hyundai AFAIK

 

[jlee]

220hp V6 and a 5sp auto...something I'd never expect in a Hyundai.

Might be worth a test drive, just for fun 😛

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: CadetLee
220hp V6 and a 5sp auto...something I'd never expect in a Hyundai.

Might be worth a test drive, just for fun 😛

I think the final specs are gonna be closer to 230-235HP

 

[mrgoblin]

I have driven a sonata v6 as a loaner and I can say that I am not comfortable driving it on the highway.

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: mrgoblin
I have driven a sonata v6 as a loaner and I can say that I am not comfortable driving it on the highway.

Comparing the current Sonata V6 to the '05 is like comparing the '01 Altima to the '02 Altima. There really IS no comparison

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: b0mbrman

Originally posted by: vi_edit
Hyundai/Kia = Volkswagen of 10 years ago.

Look what VW did from 99-2002(or 2003) before all the reliability issues. They went from considering dropping the US market to being class leaders and media darlings.

If Hyundai can learn from the rights and wrongs of VW they will definitely make a dramatic impact on the car industry.

I've heard some industry types go as far as saying Hyundai is the Honda of 20 years ago :Q

I've heard that and I agree with it. Remember that Toyota had to withdraw from the US market after the absolute disaster that was the "Toyopet". Toyota learned, and then came back.

Hyundai is learning too and is definitely showing that they can be a force.

ZV

 

[Schadenfroh]

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
Regardless of how far they've come, I'll never buy a Kia/Hyundai. Never.

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: Schadenfroh

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
Regardless of how far they've come, I'll never buy a Kia/Hyundai. Never.

What kind of car do you drive now?

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: Schadenfroh

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
Regardless of how far they've come, I'll never buy a Kia/Hyundai. Never.

What kind of car do you drive now?

The best part about that question is that there is no right answer:beer:

Well, except maybe "an Enzo", but what are the odds...

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: jagec

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: Schadenfroh

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
Regardless of how far they've come, I'll never buy a Kia/Hyundai. Never.

What kind of car do you drive now?

The best part about that question is that there is no right answer:beer:

Well, except maybe "an Enzo", but what are the odds...

Hehe. No matter what you type, all of them were a piece of sh!t at some point (or still are😉).

 

[UpGrD]

I have no complaints on my Hyundai Santa Fe. 30,000K without issue.
Actualy the best car I've had when it comes to slick conditions/snow, rock solid!!.

 

[eLiu]

In China, hyundais are really becoming popular cars. You see them all the time as "luxury" taxicabs--there are essentially 3 levels of taxicabs in beijing, the bottom 2 being local chinese-made machines. They're also becoming the middle class car for the rest of the population (well, those that can afford a car). Lower class cars tend to be local chinese models or small foreign models made under license. The Audi100 is also popular as a cheapish car. Audi A4/6/8 are the higher-class cars...along with some BMWs and MBs.

Anyway, I rode around in the Elantra a lot when I was in Beijing (it's barely more expensive than the "cheap" taxi for a foreigner...significantly moreso for a local), and I have to say it was a pretty nice car. Most of the taxis in Taipei, Taiwan are American cars (fords are popular), and I personally think the hyundai gave a better ride than any/all of those--roomier, more comfortable seats, quieter.

But yeah, looking at this new sonata, I just might make it my first car after college, though I dream of BMWs and MBs...haha. Seems really nice for the price, and I was impressed with the Elantras I rode in while in Beijing.

Anyhow:thumbsup::thumbsup: to Hyundai

 

[CombatChuk]

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: RedRooster
but if their drivetrain is up to par then the price is certainly right.

Better than what Ford is shoveling in their volume sedans:

The heart and soul of every vehicle is the engine. The all-new 2006 Hyundai Sonata offers buyers the choice of two sophisticated powertrains delivering the desirable combination of outstanding power and excellent fuel economy.

First is the all-new 2.4-liter Theta DOHC inline four-cylinder engine, rated at 160 horsepower *. This high-tech all-aluminum engine features a balance shaft design, Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT), a silent timing chain, stainless steel exhaust manifold and hydraulic motor mounts.This efficient four-cylinder engine is standard on Sonata GL and Sonata GLS four-cylinder models.

Standard on the Sonata GLS V6 and Sonata LX models is an all-new 3.3-liter V6 engine producing more than 220 horsepower *. This engine is the first member of Hyundai?s new Lambda engine family and emphasizes an aluminum cylinder block, aluminum cylinder heads, DOHC 24-valve CVVT technology and a Variable Intake System (VIS). The Lambda V6 is fitted to the Sonata front subframe with hydraulic motor mounts to ensure outstanding NVH characteristics.

I wonder if this is the engine that Chrysler/Mitsubishi/Hyundai worked on.

This engine will be used in the next Neon, Lancer, and probably most of their cars.

 

[CrackRabbit]

Originally posted by: CombatChuk

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: RedRooster
but if their drivetrain is up to par then the price is certainly right.

Better than what Ford is shoveling in their volume sedans:

The heart and soul of every vehicle is the engine. The all-new 2006 Hyundai Sonata offers buyers the choice of two sophisticated powertrains delivering the desirable combination of outstanding power and excellent fuel economy.

First is the all-new 2.4-liter Theta DOHC inline four-cylinder engine, rated at 160 horsepower *. This high-tech all-aluminum engine features a balance shaft design, Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT), a silent timing chain, stainless steel exhaust manifold and hydraulic motor mounts.This efficient four-cylinder engine is standard on Sonata GL and Sonata GLS four-cylinder models.

Standard on the Sonata GLS V6 and Sonata LX models is an all-new 3.3-liter V6 engine producing more than 220 horsepower *. This engine is the first member of Hyundai?s new Lambda engine family and emphasizes an aluminum cylinder block, aluminum cylinder heads, DOHC 24-valve CVVT technology and a Variable Intake System (VIS). The Lambda V6 is fitted to the Sonata front subframe with hydraulic motor mounts to ensure outstanding NVH characteristics.

I wonder if this is the engine that Chrysler/Mitsubishi/Hyundai worked on.

This engine will be used in the next Neon, Lancer, and probably most of their cars.

The 4 Cylinder is, I'm not 100% sure about the V6 but I think it is also.

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: CrackRabbit

Originally posted by: CombatChuk

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: RedRooster
but if their drivetrain is up to par then the price is certainly right.

Better than what Ford is shoveling in their volume sedans:

The heart and soul of every vehicle is the engine. The all-new 2006 Hyundai Sonata offers buyers the choice of two sophisticated powertrains delivering the desirable combination of outstanding power and excellent fuel economy.

First is the all-new 2.4-liter Theta DOHC inline four-cylinder engine, rated at 160 horsepower *. This high-tech all-aluminum engine features a balance shaft design, Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT), a silent timing chain, stainless steel exhaust manifold and hydraulic motor mounts.This efficient four-cylinder engine is standard on Sonata GL and Sonata GLS four-cylinder models.

Standard on the Sonata GLS V6 and Sonata LX models is an all-new 3.3-liter V6 engine producing more than 220 horsepower *. This engine is the first member of Hyundai?s new Lambda engine family and emphasizes an aluminum cylinder block, aluminum cylinder heads, DOHC 24-valve CVVT technology and a Variable Intake System (VIS). The Lambda V6 is fitted to the Sonata front subframe with hydraulic motor mounts to ensure outstanding NVH characteristics.

I wonder if this is the engine that Chrysler/Mitsubishi/Hyundai worked on.

This engine will be used in the next Neon, Lancer, and probably most of their cars.

The 4 Cylinder is, I'm not 100% sure about the V6 but I think it is also.

I think you're right. The 6 isn't apart of the deal

 

[Actaeon]

Not a bad looking car, but it looks like an Accord.

It may be cheaper up when you pick it up, but when you decide to sell it, it might actually be "more expensive" with the resale hit over something like a Camry or Accord. Because of its crappy resale, I would never look into one. If that changes, I'll give it a second thought. Meanwhile, I agree that the Korean's have gone a long way from a few years ago. That Tiberon is a nice looking car.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Are they going to call it the Hyundai Accord?

 

[ndee]

Originally posted by: NFS4
I must say that I've REALLy been impressed with the second coming of Hyundai/Kia. They seem to have their sh!t together now. Take a look at the new Sonota:

http://forums.thecarlounge.net/zerothread?id=1771645

And check out the pics towards the bottom of the thread.

Did you see the last episode from Top Gear where they ripped the Koreans a new one? 😀